The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released its Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) Annual Report for fiscal year 2024, detailing the agency’s activities in combating human trafficking.
During the past year, DHS agencies assisted over 800 victims of human trafficking and provided protections to more than 24,000 victims and their family members. The department made more than 2,500 arrests related to trafficking crimes. In addition, DHS supported 914 indictments and 405 convictions linked to human trafficking cases. Thousands of employees from DHS, law enforcement, and the private sector received training on identifying and reporting suspected cases.
“The CCHT Annual Report represents far more than the accomplishments of each DHS Component,” said CCHT Director James C. Harris. “This report reflects the continuous commitment of DHS as a whole, and our ongoing collaboration with partners to advance counter-human trafficking law enforcement operations, protect victims and enhance prevention efforts through training and outreach.”
According to the report, Homeland Security Investigations initiated 1,686 criminal investigations concerning sex trafficking and forced labor in FY 2024. These efforts led to 2,545 arrests. The CCHT also provided support for 246 HSI investigations by offering funding, intelligence sharing, and subject matter expertise.
The Blue Campaign conducted 170 training sessions about human trafficking indicators and reporting methods for over 23,000 participants. Through its Blue Lightning Initiative partnerships, an additional 280,000 people received training during the year. Online resources associated with the campaign saw over 3.7 million clicks; moreover, more than two million pieces of outreach material were distributed across the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection continued enforcing rules against importing goods produced with forced labor by stopping 231 shipments worth over $12 million using Withhold Release Orders.
The U.S. Secret Service expanded its Childhood Smart Ambassador program to a total of 275 Ambassadors in FY 2024; these individuals are trained to educate both children and adults on internet safety issues that include child sex trafficking prevention topics. Over the fiscal year they delivered more than a thousand presentations that reached upwards of eighty-one thousand stakeholders—an increase compared to last year’s numbers.
Established in 2020, the Center for Countering Human Trafficking coordinates department-wide efforts including law enforcement actions, victim assistance programs, intelligence gathering activities as well as public education initiatives.
Members of the public who suspect instances of human trafficking are encouraged by authorities to report them either anonymously online or via phone at (866)347-2423; further support is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888)373-7888 or at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.
